The severe storm Arnab (Arnab) reached the eastern coast of India, particularly the state of Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday, causing heavy rainfall and significant disruptions. Officials stated that this storm, which has wind speeds exceeding 125 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 150 kilometers per hour, is classified as a Category 3 storm and made landfall earlier than expected, currently moving along the coastline.
Consequences of Storm Arnab
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the storm's landfall would continue for more than two hours, with its edge currently over the shores of Andhra Pradesh. The storm center is still over the sea. Storm Arnab has brought heavy rains, strong winds, and significant disruptions to Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring state of Odisha. Trees are swaying due to the severe storm, and power and communication lines have been affected, with the sea reaching unprecedented heights for many residents. Flight and train services have also been impacted by this storm.
Preventive Measures and Evacuation of People
No reports of casualties in these two states have been announced by Wednesday morning. N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, attributed the preventive measures taken before the storm as a factor in avoiding human casualties. He stated this during a video conference to assess the storm's impact on the ground. In total, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha evacuated nearly 100,000 residents from vulnerable areas in preparation for the storm, moving them to safer inland locations.
Rajeshwari, a 65-year-old resident who was only identified by her first name, spoke about her situation: "Our homes are flooding, and we are forced to stay in the water. The government provided us with buses, and we came here to take shelter."
In Nepal, officials warned tourists to avoid entering high-altitude areas as Storm Arnab may cause heavy rainfall, snowstorms, and avalanches in the Himalayan region from Thursday night to Saturday. Storm Arnab formed on Monday morning in the Bay of Bengal, an area known for producing some of the deadliest storms in India. However, experts state that this year's storm season is influenced by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has caused unprecedented warming.
